It’s the Only Way to Go

This short without dialogue opens with Dave King singing about "Beautiful suburbia" and the street where his Great-grandfather lives.

John Harwood flies high to get this comparison.

Great-grandfather (Tony Sympson) digs in his garden before a glimpse of a neighbour undressing gives him a heart attack.

Transfixed by a Young Woman as he walks behind her, the Postman (John Rutland) shoves a funeral invitation into the face of Dave King (Himself).

Parking his MGB, Dave arrives outside the home of the Deceased's Widow. Looking south on Nelson Road SW19 with May Court on Pincott Road in the distance.

Stepping into the road to avoid trees and parked vehicles, John Harwood captures the scene now.

Carrying flowers, Dave knocks the door. Facing numbers 83 and 85 Nelson Road, Wimbledon.

John Harwood even includes a parked car.

Leaving the house after being mauled by the amorous Woman within, Dave checks the door number to find that he's been to the wrong address. Outside numbers 83 and 85 Nelson Road.

Newer doors, a wall as well as a lick of paint greeted John Harwood.

The funeral cortège arrives outside the house while Mourners are watching a Western on television. Nelson Road in Wimbledon SW19.

John Harwood found that the trees lining the street have matured.

After imbibing a little too much, the Hearse Driver sets off to be chased by the Funeral Director (Cardew Robinson) and his Assistants (including Johnny Vyvyan). Looking along Trafalgar Road towards Haydons Road SW19.

Peter Bywater found that the cars have changed but the terrace houses remain and bollards have been installed to prevent traffic entering from Haydon's Road.

The hearse weaves its way along the road followed by the cars carrying the Mourners. Looking east on Trafalgar Road with Nelson Road crossing the background.

Many of the houses have been modified over the years as Peter Bywaters' comparison shows.

Left behind at the house, Dave jumps into his MG and sets off in pursuit. Facing west on Trafalgar Road in Wimbledon.

There was no pursuit on the day John Harwood turned up.

Holding his hand up to stop the speeding sports car, a Policeman (Neil Wilson) approaches Dave. Found with help from Julie Gauci, this is the junction of Trafalgar Road and Victory Road SW19 with All Saints' School in the background.

Peter Bywaters points out that the school playground has gained a small football pitch and some bike sheds.

The drunken Hearse Driver leads the short procession toward the cemetery, passing another cortège coming in the opposite direction. Looking south on Hardy Road SW19 with May Court in the distance.

On the left-hand side Peter Bywaters spotted that the garden wall and brick gate pillar still exist.

On his way again, Dave turns right instead of left at a junction and begins to follow the wrong funeral. Hardy Road facing Quicks Road with the former Methodist Church in the left background.

Peter Bywaters explains that the former church is now the Old Church Business Centre.

Speeding up, the cortège reaches the main road. Facing north-eastward at the junction of Rowan Road and Meopham Road in SW16 located by Jamie Sturgeon.

Rowan Road today looking towards the junction of Meopham Road, captured by Peter Bywaters.

Dave comes to a stand as a Man crosses the road in front of him. Both Peter Bywaters and Jamie Sturgeon recognised Nelson Road where the give way road markings are on the junction with Trafalgar Road.

Peter proves the location with this view.

Losing sight of the cortège, Dave impatiently tries to pass a van. Within hours of each other, Peter Bywaters and Jamie Sturgeon identified Quicks Road, Wimbledon with the former Methodist Church on the right.

The view now from Peter.

The inebriated Hearse Driver brings his vehicle to a stand near a Gardener watering flowers. Jamie Sturgeon identifies the view as looking towards the entrance of Streatham Park Cemetery on Rowan Road, Streatham Vale.

Taken by Peter Bywaters, looking towards the still extant gate pillars at the cemetery where Will Hay was buried in 1949.

With the hearse parked on his hose causing the flow to cease, the Gardener stands watching the Funeral Director berate the Driver.

The cortège that Dave is following reaches its destination. Facing north-east on Malvern Close in Mitcham, Greater London identified by Jamie Sturgeon who adds that the land to the left was built on a couple of years after filming.

Peter Bywaters captured the new homes built on the open ground to the left as well as 34 Malvern Close, the house on right of frame, seen in the screen capture.

Discovering that a small bird is being buried, Dave hurries from the pet cemetery. The entrance to Streatham Park Cemetery on Malvern Close located by Jamie Sturgeon. Properties opposite Manor Place now occupy the site.

Taken by Peter Bywaters from outside number 53 Malvern Close which now stands where the entrance gate once stood.

At the correct funeral, the coffin is carried to the graveside. Peter Bywaters discovered Plot 6 in Streatham Park Cemetery.

Peter explains that many of the Victorian monuments have been removed as part of a conversion that took place between 1969 and 1991 to create a flat, open lawn layout.

The Gardener turns as Dave approaches in his MGB. Peter Bywaters found that the gardens at Streatham Park Cemetery entrance have made way for burial plots.

To the left, the ornate stone topped gate pillar still survive in Peter's comparison.

Dave asks directions to the funeral while the Gardener's hose soaks him. Streatham Park Cemetery on Rowan Road SW16 confirmed by Peter Bywaters.

Peter was off angle here, trying to highlight the path seen right of the screen capture that now leads into a memorial garden where cemetery buildings once stood.